Everyone deserves access to quality mental health services, meaningful choices, and respect for their rights.
This resource library brings together information about Montana’s mental health system, including how to access services, challenge denials, understand your rights, navigate institutional settings, and engage in advocacy for systemic reform. We encourage you to explore the topics below and use these tools to build knowledge, strengthen self-advocacy, and help create a mental health system that works better for everyone.

Youth Mental Health Services

Crisis & Emergency Mental Health Support

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

📞 Call or Text: 988 🌐 https://988lifeline.org
Available 24/7 for:
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Mental health crises
  • Emotional distress
  • Family members concerned about a loved one
Montana’s 988 system connects callers with trained crisis counselors and local resources.

Montana Children’s Mental Health Services

Montana Children’s Mental Health Bureau (CMHB)

The Children’s Mental Health Bureau oversees Medicaid-funded youth mental health services in Montana and provides information about available programs and services. [dphhs.mt.gov]

Montana Crisis Services

Montana Crisis Services

Information about:
  • Local crisis response
  • Crisis stabilization services
  • Behavioral health emergency resources
  • Community mental health services

Medicaid & Healthy Montana Kids (HMK Plus)

Montana Medicaid Provider Information

Information about:
  • Medicaid-covered mental health services
  • Youth mental health benefits
  • Service eligibility
  • Covered providers

Healthy Montana Kids (HMK)

Assistance for families seeking:
  • Medicaid enrollment
  • HMK Plus enrollment
  • Children’s health coverage

Locating a Mental Health Provider

Psychology Today Therapist Directory

Search by:
  • City
  • Insurance
  • Specialty
  • Age group

Disability Rights Montana

Disability Rights Montana

Disability Rights Montana can provide information, referral assistance, advocacy, and support for individuals with disabilities and families navigating mental health systems.

Additional Montana Family Resources

Montana 211

📞 Dial 211 🌐 https://montana211.org
Connects families with:
  • Mental health providers
  • Food assistance
  • Housing resources
  • Family supports
  • Community programs

National Parent Resource

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

📞 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) 🌐 https://www.nami.org
Offers:
  • Mental health education
  • Parent support resources
  • Family support groups
  • Information about diagnoses and treatment

What if Medicaid Denies You Mental Health Services

Montana Office of Public Assistance (OPA)

Handles Medicaid eligibility, applications, renewals, and many benefit determinations.
Public Assistance Helpline: 1-888-706-1535
Fax: 1-877-418-4533
Mailing Address: Human and Community Services
PO Box 202925
Helena, MT 59620
Use for:
  • Medicaid applications
  • Redeterminations
  • Reporting changes
  • Eligibility questions
  • Benefit notices

Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS)

State agency administering Medicaid and Medicaid waiver programs.
Main Phone: (406) 444-5622
Address: 111 North Sanders Street
Helena, MT 59601
Use for:
  • Medicaid program information
  • Waiver services
  • Policies
  • DPHHS resources

Medicaid Member Services

Helpful for questions about Medicaid benefits and coverage.
Use for:
  • Covered services
  • Medicaid benefits
  • Member information
  • Program resources

Appeals & Fair Hearing Resources

Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH)

This is the office referenced throughout the training for fair hearings.

General OAH Phone: (406) 444-2470

Mailing Address: Office of Administrative Hearings

PO Box 202922

Helena, MT 59620

Use for:

  • Filing fair hearing requests

  • Hearing procedures

  • Appeals information

  • Case status questions

DPHHS Fair Hearing Decisions Database

Useful for understanding how prior cases have been decided.

Use for:

  • Reviewing past hearing decisions

  • Understanding common issues

  • Researching appeal outcomes

Waiver & Long-Term Services Resources

Developmental Disabilities Program Medicaid Waiver Information

Use for:

  • 0208 Waiver

  • Developmental Disabilities Program

  • Home and community-based services

Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)

Excellent resource for navigating long-term care and disability services.

Statewide Help Line: 1-800-551-3191

Use for:

  • Long-term care options

  • Waiver programs

  • Benefits counseling

  • Community resources

  • Caregiver support

Legal Assistance Resources

Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA)

Provides free civil legal assistance to eligible low-income Montanans.

Apply Online: https://www.mtlsa.org/contact/

HelpLine: 1-800-666-6899

Email: contactus@mtlsa.org

Address: 616 Helena Avenue, Suite 100

Helena, MT 59601

Use for:

  • Public benefits issues

  • Civil legal assistance

  • Housing

  • Family law

  • Consumer issues

Montana LawHelp

Provides self-help legal materials and referrals.

Use for:

  • Self-help legal resources

  • Forms

  • Referrals

  • Public benefits guides

Your Rights if the State is Trying to Force Treatment on You

Your Rights at Montana State Hospital

Montana State Hospital Patients’ Rights Policy

The facility’s own publicly posted policy on patient rights and grievance.

Montana Mental Disabilities Board of Visitors

Independent oversight and advocacy concerning Montana’s public mental-health programs, including assistance with patient grievances, rights violations, abuse or neglect, treatment, and discharge concerns.

Visit the Board of Visitors

Contact the Board of Visitors

Montana Mental Health Law and Patient Rights

How You Can Make Montana Improve our Mental Health System

  • Montana Legislature
    Find legislators, committees, meeting schedules and other information about the Montana legislative process. The site also provides access to live and archived legislative hearings. [legmt.gov]

  • Montana Legislative Switchboard: 406-444-4800
    During a legislative session, the switchboard provides another way to contact legislators about bills and issues.
  • DPHHS Administrative Rules
    Follow proposed and pending rules from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. Proposed-rule notices include public-hearing information, deadlines for written comments, accommodation information and instructions for participating in the rulemaking process. [dphhs.mt.gov]